Location: Central Arena – Under Holographic Spotlights
Carmine's shock glaive crackled, arcs of red lightning dancing along its edge as he spun it into a ready stance. Across from him, Aeris stood still—rifle lowered, blade drawn beneath it, one eye locked on his every move.
Their boots shifted slightly against the concrete floor—one for balance, one for blood.
The crowd was silent now. Holding their breath.
BOOM.
Carmine struck first.
His glaive came down like a guillotine—sparking mid-air.
Aeris sidestepped, barely grazing the blow, the edge kissing strands of her hair as she twisted low, ducking under the arc.
Carmine (grunting):
"Fast. But not enough."
He rotated, launching a wide sweeping slash.
Aeris countered—clashing metal to metal with the reinforced stock of her rifle. Sparks exploded. Her knees buckled.
He pushed forward, pressing her toward the arena edge.
Aeris twisted out, leaving behind a faint trail of red across the floor.
Aeris (breathing hard):
"Tch... heavier than he looks."
She drew the rifle up quickly, and fired a single shot—the sound cracking through the air.
Carmine's shoulder snapped back from the hit.
Carmine (snarling):
"You dare shoot me?"
Aeris (deadpan):
"That's what the gun is for."
They clashed again.
Carmine spun his glaive upward, and Aeris ducked under, stabbing forward with her blade—but he knocked her back with the glaive's electric shaft.
BZZZZZAP—!
Her body lit with arcs of red. She slammed into a wall.
The crowd gasped.
Carmine (approaching):
"You're skilled. But this isn't about skill."
He raised his glaive again.
Carmine:
"It's about power."
Aeris (coughing, rising slowly):
"…Power? Is that what this is?"
She lifted her head. A glint in her eye.
That strange shimmer again.
For a split second—her silhouette flickered. Like a glitch.
Carmine hesitated.
Carmine (brows furrowing):
"What… was that?"
Aeris stood fully now. Blood slid down her arm, but her stance was sharper. Cold. She twisted her blade into reverse grip.
Aeris (quietly):
"You're right. This isn't about power…"
She moved.
Faster.
Too fast.
Carmine:
"What the—?!"
Her feet scraped the ground as she rushed in—her blade catching the glaive's shaft, pushing it upward. She slid under, cut across his ribs, turned, and slammed the butt of her rifle into his jaw.
BAM.
He stumbled.
The crowd roared.
Announcer:
"A sudden reversal! What is this girl—?!"
Carmine gritted his teeth. His stance grew wild. Furious.
He unleashed a burst slash—sparks everywhere.
But Aeris moved through it all.
Aeris (thinking):
"One breath. One pattern. He lifts before the charge. Slow."
She moved again. Dodged left. Parried. Deflected. Then—stabbed low, twisted the blade, and kicked him full-force in the chest.
CRACK!
Carmine flew backward—and slammed into the wall.
Dust burst around him.
He didn't get up.
Buzzer: ROUND OVER.
The arena lights dimmed. The crowd… was stunned. Then—thunderous cheers.
Announcer (shouting):
"Victory goes to STAR Club's Alina!! A flawless finish!!"
Announcer 2:
"She... just took out the Silver Fangs' captain... alone!"
Scene Shift: Side Arena Gate
Rin ran over, out of breath.
Rin:
"You won! You actually—! I mean I knew you would but—still!! That was—!"
Aeris (panting):
"…Don't cry Rin."
Rin (sniffling):
"No I'm not! You're the one who crying!"
Aeris sigh and didn't respond.
Instead, she turned to look at Carmine—being carried off the floor out from the arena.
She whispered one word, barely audible.
Aeris:
"Dead star, huh…?"